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Horsham approves proposed taxi fare increase as Christmas premium charges move five hours earlier
Taxi drivers in Horsham could charge higher maximum fares from 13 November 2026 after the district council approved a revised tariff schedule, subject to a statutory consultation.
The decision, published on 15 October, would increase the maximum daytime fare for a two-mile journey from £8.07 to £8.45, a rise of approximately 4.7%.
The changes would also allow drivers to begin charging premium Christmas and New Year rates five hours earlier than under the existing arrangements.
Councillor David Skipp, the council’s Cabinet Member for Environmental Health, Recycling and Waste, approved the revised table of fares and authorised a public consultation running from 29 October to 12 November.
The decision remains subject to councillor call-in until 22 October. If no objections are received during the subsequent consultation, the new fares are scheduled to take effect on 13 November.
Under the proposed daytime tariff for vehicles carrying up to four passengers, the initial charge would increase from £4.20 to £4.40. The distance covered by each subsequent 20p increment would fall from 134 metres to 124 metres, increasing the maximum charge for longer journeys.
The council’s calculations show that a one-mile daytime journey would rise from £5.53 to £5.85, while a five-mile journey would increase from £15.69 to £16.25. Night-time fares would also increase, although the initial charge for vehicles carrying up to four passengers would remain at £6.40. Subsequent 30p increments would apply over shorter distances. A two-mile night-time journey would increase from £11.99 to £12.66 under the revised schedule.
The council calculates an average daytime increase of approximately 4.24% across the journey distances used in its assessment.
A separate change would affect the periods during which drivers can charge double daytime rates over Christmas and New Year. The premium Christmas tariff would begin at 6pm on Christmas Eve, rather than 11pm, and continue until 7am on 27 December. The New Year premium would similarly begin at 6pm on 31 December, five hours earlier than currently permitted, and continue until 7am on 1 January.
For vehicles carrying five to eight passengers, the proposed daytime starting charge would increase from £6.30 to £6.60. The initial night-time charge for larger vehicles would rise from £8.40 to £9.90, although subsequent distance-based increments would fall from 60p to 45p.
Additional charges for excess passengers and luggage would remain unchanged. The council would also retain its £100 vehicle soiling charge.
The proposals follow a request from a hackney carriage driver in April 2026 for a review of fares.
According to the council’s decision report, the driver raised concerns about lower tariffs than neighbouring authorities and the rising cost of operating a licensed taxi.
The council subsequently contacted all hackney carriage drivers to gather information about operating expenses. Thirty-four responses were received during an informal consultation that closed on 13 April.
The revised fares were calculated using a methodology developed by Guildford Borough Council and adopted by Horsham in 2025. The council’s financial assumptions include an annual driver salary allowance of £32,500, annual vehicle mileage of 41,250 miles and fuel costing £1.81 per litre.
Its calculations also assume that half of the vehicle’s annual mileage is completed without a fare-paying passenger.
The council’s report warns that failing to increase maximum fares could contribute to a further reduction in the availability of licensed hackney carriages across the district.
A comparison of neighbouring West Sussex authorities shows that Horsham’s proposed £8.45 maximum daytime fare for a two-mile journey would remain below the £8.70 median used in the council’s assessment.
If objections are submitted during the consultation and are not withdrawn, the Cabinet Member must reconsider the proposed tariff and determine whether modifications are necessary.
In those circumstances, the council says the revised fares must come into force no later than 13 January 2027.
